US Politics?

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by RichPundit

Tailhook: I totally agree on both your LOST choices and MsDee retort with the exception that I think Hillary is more like smart, always hard working Juliet as even Republican insiders/pundits openly agree

So would that make Bill Clinton.. Ben?

Also.. whats the first order of business for a Hillary Clinton administration? Pardoning everyone in Gitmo? After all.. they've pardoned terrorists before:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1202...n_commentaries

The thing about Hillary is that I do believe she is quite smart. The problem is she has a severe lack of political brinksmanship, something thats absolutely required when dealing with international terrorists and dictatorships. You have to be able to look world leaders in the eye and not only draw a hard line but at the same time be able to pull it off. They have to know, that the stick WILL be used and back down. She would never be able to pull that off.

Even Bill Clinton couldn't do that. Thats why Osama Bin Laden called him and America a 'paper tiger' and from '93-2000 had a ramp up in terrorist attacks leading to 9/11. You can bitch about Afghanistan(not so much) and Iraq(a lot).. but I like our position in dealing with terrorists much more now than when Bill Clinton was in office.

-TH

[Gewher]

Yeah... Well. Stephan Dion annoys the hell out of me but I've liked what we've gotten so far under Steven Harper. I'm definitely Conservative all the way through! Go Torries!

(This post is because I have no idea what anyone is talking about )

[clueless1der]

Originally Posted by tailhook

So would that make Bill Clinton.. Ben?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! And that would make Danielle... Monica?

Okay here is something that is bugging me. Hubby and I were talking about this between commercials of BB9: How will the FL and the MI primaries effect the election for the Democratic nominee? I hardly claim to be a political genius, but many people were under the impression that those two huge states didn't count. Is that true? I mean, if it comes down to the wire I can't see Hillary rolling over and completely discounting all those voters. Would it become a court battle? Would they say hey you had your chance, tough sh*t... or would they hold another election?

If anyone can shed some light on this I would be eversomuch appreciative.

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by clueless1der

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! And that would make Danielle... Monica?

Okay here is something that is bugging me. Hubby and I were talking about this between commercials of BB9: How will the FL and the MI primaries effect the election for the Democratic nominee? I hardly claim to be a political genius, but many people were under the impression that those two huge states didn't count. Is that true?

Michigan and Florida went rogue and decided to hold their primaries early. As a result the DNC stripped them of all their delegates for the convention and received promises from every candidate not to campeign in either state. All accepted and promised not to. In fact, Hillary Clinton's name was the only one on the ballot in Michigan as a result. All these decisions were made last year and in full agreement by all of the candidates.

Fast forward to this year.

Michigan and Florida still hold their primaries early and the candidates do not campeign there. Clinton ends up winning(a forgone conclusion in Michigan for the above reason) and suddenly decides they should magically be seated at the convention(and preferably in proportion to how much she won by) regardless of what she and the other candidates agreed to last year.

One thing is fairly certain.. the delegates will not be seated based on the elections in January. The DNC is pretty adament about not seating them at all but if they did it would have to be based on either a new vote in the form of a caucus or some other measure. You simply can't ban/ask candidates to not campeign in states, have them agree to it, and then give it to the candidate that just so happened to be up at the time. That would be just about as fair as getting the dead out to vote.

The irony is that they pushed up their primaries in order to be 'kingmakers' and have a big say in who gets elected. They not only didn't get that but if they had had their primaries on the original schedule they WOULD have mattered. Personally, its too far along in the process to reverse anything... Michigian and Florida should just take their lumps and learn what happens when they hold their primaries early such that this type of horse**** never happens again.

-TH

[clueless1der]

ty Tails. I knew you'd know.

[Gartism]

McCain has, basically, shored up the GOP side and after Texas will launch the National Campaign...so...who goes along for the ride? Best VP idea?

Romney and Huckabee scare the crap out of me.

On the Dems side of the fence - between Clinton and Obama - one of them needs to run the table at an 80-20 margin to get enough delegates. So we're looking at a brokered DNC convention.

Obama should win that - because if the Super Delegates all go Clinton, that will fracture the popular vote...possibly sending some folks McCain's way

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by Gartism

McCain has, basically, shored up the GOP side and after Texas will launch the National Campaign...so...who goes along for the ride? Best VP idea?

Romney and Huckabee scare the crap out of me.

I'm thinking he's going to have to pull one of those two. Huckabee is a little too far right for McCain and Mitt has played ball.

Originally Posted by Gartism

On the Dems side of the fence - between Clinton and Obama - one of them needs to run the table at an 80-20 margin to get enough delegates. So we're looking at a brokered DNC convention.

Not a certainty. It'll come down to March 4th. If Obama manages to get either Ohio or Texas or both she's done. Not in delegate count but her campeign will have no more legs to stand on to continue. She'll be kindly asked to recuse herself from the race Romney style(for the good of the party) and if she doesn't and pushes for a needless brokered convention not only will she lose badly but her time in politics would be over. She wouldn't be able to get a job on the city council. There is only so long you can shovel **** against the tide.

The most likely scenario is that he takes either Ohio or Texas and she backs out and gets announced as the VP for the ticket at the convention. She then gets to save face and make female history.

Originally Posted by Gartism

Obama should win that - because if the Super Delegates all go Clinton, that will fracture the popular vote...possibly sending some folks McCain's way

If the superdelegates ignored everything that has gone on with Obama basically handing her her lunch in the vast majority of the states and went Clinton to get her the nomination the Democratic party would be the biggest joke in the land. I don't see people going McCain's way.. but they would certainly sit out the general election in disgust.

-TH

[RichPundit]

Originally Posted by Gartism

McCain has, basically, shored up the GOP side and after Texas will launch the National Campaign...so...who goes along for the ride? Best VP idea?

HMmm, I see either former Pennsylvania governor/ex-Bush Security Chief Tom Ridge or former Wisconsin governor/ex-Bush Health & Human Chief as two potential Republican VP candidates. Both are ready day 1, and add some needed geographical balance.

Colin Powell has been fishing with both parties, and is charismatic, experienced, ready day 1, well-known, black, etc.. He may also fit McCain's ticket.

McCain's problem is that the large, extreme and powerful right (e.g., Kristol, Evangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Coulter, George Will, etc.) demand one of their own on the ticket which McCain may resist, and thus, the Republican base mostly sits home.

Actually, I don't think VPs actually matter. Also, realistically, why would a Republican win based on their loong failed record on every issue which will be loudly screamed by Democrats, Independents, and has already been by most embarassed and disappointed Republicans.

"Just the facts Ma'am" - RichPundit

[Gartism]

Originally Posted by tailhook

The most likely scenario is that he takes either Ohio or Texas and she backs out and gets announced as the VP for the ticket at the convention. She then gets to save face and make female history.

Like Geraldine Ferraro?

And, RichPundit - I agree on Powell seemingly fishing...but I still think he's too smart to be in the top tier of government. He's a brilliant speaker/thinker but I believe he shuns the type of scrutiny that would come with the top level.

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by Gartism

Like Geraldine Ferraro?

No.. Geraldine Ferraro didn't win :P.

Originally Posted by Gartism

And, RichPundit - I agree on Powell seemingly fishing...but I still think he's too smart to be in the top tier of government. He's a brilliant speaker/thinker but I believe he shuns the type of scrutiny that would come with the top level.

Just offhand.. what do you call Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? I don't know about you but i consider all 3 positions top tier.

-TH